Killing the goose that laid the “golden egg” is among the most famous of Aesop’s fairy tales. It is the story of a cottager and his wife who had a goose that laid a golden egg every day. The couple believed the goose contained a huge lump of gold and […]
Jim Cumming – From the Publisher Emeritus’ Pen
Jim is the former publisher of the Fort Frances Times Ltd. He writes a weekly column and can be contacted at jcumming@fortfrances.com
Did you ever wonder what you did before you had a cellphone? Have you wondered how you possibly could have lived without a smartphone? Some of you reading this column quickly will think, “I don’t have a smartphone, let alone a cellphone” and so there is no wonderment in the […]
I finally broke down and bought a snowblower. Two weeks ago, after the town had plowed in my driveway for the second time, without even getting my vehicle out of the driveway, I decided that the 30 years of debate on acquiring a mechanical snow shoveller were over. Now I […]
Does a penny for your thoughts now cost a nickel? Is penny wise and pound foolish now nickel wise and kilo foolish? Monday marked the end of the penny in Canada as banks no longer will issue this historic piece of Canadian money. Since 1858, the coins have jingled in […]
More than a year ago, I wrote of my enjoyment of having an e-reader. I still enjoy it very much. The advent of e-books has had a lasting impact of book paper producers around the world as readers have adopted this new technology. People have claimed that electronic books will […]
By the end of this weekend, Ontario will have a new premier and it is expected to be a woman. Right now, Sandra Pupatello is leading the race to replace outgoing premier Dalton McGuinty, followed closely by Kathleen Wynne. If either of them win, they will become Ontario’s first female […]
After this past week, I can’t help but believe global warming is impacting us. I would never have expected rain in the second week of January. Instead, I would have expected frigid temperatures—the kind that takes your breath away just stepping outside. I shouldn’t complain about milder weather and its […]
We are in the age of opportunity. It seems like a strange thing to be saying in this new year, but I believe it to be true. The “Idle No more” protest that has sprung up across Canada has more people talking about the differences between First Nations’ and non-aboriginal […]
We all have traditions that we enjoy and look forward to each year. But what happens when the traditions that were part of your life change because you move to a country with different one. How easily could you embrace the changes? My future daughter-in-law, who grew up in Seoul, […]
It is Christmas letter-writing season again. Both local MP John Rafferty and MPP Sarah Campbell have sent out letters to all of their constituents, wishing them a wonderful holiday season and showing how active they have been in their ridings. They also have addressed another letter to Santa, with both […]
For the first time in more than three years, the Cumming family, with all the cousins, will be together for Christmas dinner. The family has expanded, and with the expansion new traditions likely will be established. A grandchild will be the centre of attention. We will, in our separate families, […]
“He sees you when you’re sleeping. He knows if you’ve been bad or good. “Oh, you better watch out, you better watch out, Santa’s coming to town.” It’s a great Christmas song—one that parents have been using on their children for years to try and reduce the excitement that builds […]
